At the age of 40, youthful Congolese music crooner Ferré Gola, who is known for his swag, distinctive voice and unique dance style, is reported to have fathered 17 children with different women.
Ferré, who often refers to himself as Papa Ya Bana Ya ebele (Lingala for ‘father of many children’) openly admits his love for children.
“Despite being married, I love children and I would not mind having many more than I already do as long as I can comfortably take good care of them. Children are a blessing from God and no one has a right to judge one based on the number of children one chooses to have,” he says.
On the other side of the continent in Nigeria, 2Face Idibia, who changed his name to ‘2Baba’ is also a big family man. The father of seven from different mothers is fond of his kids. The songwriter, singer-producer and entrepreneur is among the richest Nigerian musicians.
“I love and care for each of my children equally ensuring that they enjoy the benefits of my life,” he has been quoted as saying.
His life has not been without its fair share of drama, with claims of infidelity a dime a dozen; he was not the faithful life partner to the mothers of his children. However, his heart now belongs to his wife Annie even though he still keeps in touch with his ex’s with whom they have children together.
In Kenya, female singer Akothee is one of the wealthiest musicians. The diva who sadly lost her unborn twins recently, is a proud mother of five, with three different men. Still she remains single and says she wouldn’t mind having many more babies because she adores children.
“They mean the world to me. Besides it is the pride of any parent to have a family who look up to them. If you ask me there is nothing wrong with having many children as long as you are able to raise them well and enable them have a bright future,” she opines.
Akothee recently posted on her social media wall an appreciation to her baby daddies for their continuous support towards their children.
“I love my baby daddies coordination they pay hotel accommodation and food for their children during this Valentine week,” she wrote and went ahead to reveal that the travelling expenditure for her kids during this concluded Valentine amounted to Sh72,000.
Zari Hassan, Diamond Platnumz’s wife, is one of the most beautiful yet controversial celebrities in East Africa. The mother of five – three from her previous marriage with King Lawrence, a popular Ugandan tycoon, and two with Diamond Platinumz- describes being a mother of many as a blessing.
“No one has the right to decide on the number of children one needs to have as long as the parents are able to take good care of them,” she said.
On his part Diamond who has seemingly no problem with the large number of children once posted photos of himself ,Zari, Tiffah and the other three sons of Zari and captioned, “Me and my stars!...Basi hapo vilurumbembe roho zinawauuuuumaaaa...#UTANIPENDA #SIMBA. Among the photos he posted, one showed him seated with Zari and her mother.
Here in Kenya, comedian Obinna Ike Igwee, who is also a TV, Radio host and an actor is a proud father of three children - a girl and two boys with three different women.
“My main motivation to achieve great things and work hard is as a result of my children. Obinna who recently showed them off on his Instagram page. Captioned: “Wanna know why I work so hard? They are the reason... Luironne, Briana and Laleiti... Love you peeps.! #factis, I am your papa... lemme give you the life I never had.#my family.”
Local songstress Yvonne Darq is a mother of three – two from her ex Syddo. The sexy songstress strongly believes that having many kids is fine and hence people should often strive to mind their business instead of interfering in one’s personal life.
“Common sense isn’t common so I don’t blame critics no matter what they say- what matters is that I love my children” Leading Kenyan dancer Kanda King is a proud father of three sons- one from his past marriage and two others from his recent union with Tasha.
When contacted, Kanda sees nothing wrong with one having many children insinuating that he loves and adores children and does not mind having many more when the time comes.
“The fact is I am playing my rightful role as a man and a father,” he insists.
Hip-hop artiste Labalaa of the Wakamba Wawili is a father of three – one from a different relationship and two with his wife.
“I like to keep my life private because I love and value my children. I see nothing wrong with having children and hence my private life should not be questioned by anyone.”
Jaguar is also a proud father of two girls who look so much alike it is hard to tell that they have been born to different women.
The Kigeugeu hit maker, who is not planning on marrying soon says for now, all he wants is to focus on raising his two lovely daughters and when the time comes for him to marry he will let us know. “It is said that a parent’s greatest joy is their children, I know this too well and that is the reason I take great care of them,” he revealed.
Kiss 100’s Shaffie Weru is a father to three adorable children- a daughter with his new wife Joan, another daughter (Milan) with former Tattuu member Debbie Asila and a boy named Jabali from his wife Joan’s previous relationship.
Although in the past he crafted for himself a bad boy image, in recent times he has taken up the loving husband and doting dad responsibility more seriously.
The father of three, however, is still the go-to guy when it comes to partying. A father of two, self-proclaimed king of swag The Number Nane Baby Octopizzo, says he values his children more than anything.
“Every day I live for my children and my family. When I wake up I ask myself if my daughters would be comfortable listening to the new song I am drafting. Will they be inspired or dejected with the lyrics and that is why I inject my numbers with the message of hope for the coming generation.”
